The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-03-11

i pied smiling:
MANY thanks. have here q rigid
sentinel; is that not true, Polyte?"
"Oi course" answered that embryo
of a man, with the inimitable accent
of the poisson Of Paris and raising
himself on the point of his feet.
Yes, he was to be rigid sentinel, the
poor child, as from this day nothing
vas heard of John Sigault in the
| modest apartment of Montmartre.
After that sortie the squad of the
brave sergeant had returned without
their chief; killed or taken during the
battle they would not say-in any
case he was missing.
Since the month OF March, 1871,
poverty had stricken hard the home
previously so Contented. The slowly
gathered resources had foundered
quickly. Theresa, worn out by dis
Quietude and privations, fell sick, and
the terrible days of the Commune
happening Unexpectedly the situation
of the mother and child became very
critical.
The young one did not complain,
did not cry, did not fret. Not that he
was unconscious of the dangers that
threatened his mother and himself.
His deep look indicated well enough
that many bitter thoughts passed be-
fore time through his child's brain.
Finally his courage gave way, and
this is why-the baker was there; he
wanted money and refused to let them
have bread on credit any longer, only
until the next day.
At this moment the favOrite axiom
of his parents, viz: ut is the duty OF
children to support their mammas
when they cannot work any more"
was remembered by him.
Polyte rushed out. A long time he
prOmenaded the streets, his eyes shin
ing, his head on fire, asking himself
what he could do to earn money.
All Of a sudden he saw people push
ing each other. In the middle OF the
street a young man was selling news
papers. The crowd fought among
themselves in their eagerness to buy
the Petit Journal.
At this view POlyte made up his
mind. He also would sell newspapers.
He bought a copy of the Journal, read
the direction of its publishers, ran to
the Office and asked a clerk to confide
a number of papers to him.
AS he had no money the man re-
fused to entertain his demand. Then
he burst out sobbing. His sorrow ap-
peared so touching and true that the
clerk signalled him to one of the edit
ors. In a moment POlyte, who had
related his story to the gent ,m&n, re-
ceived a gratuitous and large supply
OF newspapers, together with a hand
some uniform cap, while the good ed
itor dispatched q messenger to Pc.
lyte's house, bearer of succor for the
wife of the missing sergeant.
From that time and for several
weary weeks mother and child sub
sisted on the profits made by the in
defatigable boy.
Polyte increased his mercantile oper-
atoms by taking a partner in the shape
OF q poodle dog that he found in the
street and to which he taught tricks.
Among them the foremost was known
as 1.-THE Ducks Hunt executed by
Jean de Nivelle's Dog Polyte threw
up q large ring on which newspapers
were hung and a cup was put on the
ground. The dog seized the ring i'll the
flight. The more the master cried
'FCome here" the more the dog ran
away from him; the animal described
quick circles, presenting the newspapers
to tho passers by with such q comical
expression that quickly the ring was
deprived of it's burden, and the little
cup filed to the brim with copper and
silver pieces.
Energy wore out adversely in
Polyte's case. Theresa regained her
health, and resumed her work of a
milliner. Meanwhile other sorrows
were in store for the courageous child.
One evening after serving his GUS
toners Polyte found Robert visiting
his mother.
He returned often, friend Robert, he
returned too often. Once he invited
himself without much ado TO dinner,
under the pretext that hehad brought
q roasted chicken and a bottle of fine
Slaret.
And asking to be excused for his
lack Of ceremony on the plea that he
was alone in the world the stonecutter
arrived, little by little, to share the
evening meal OF the Sigaults, a thing
which displeased Monsieur Polyte q
great deal. Every day it seemed to
the Jealous child that this newcomer
was taking q part Of his mothers love
from him.
1t was the morning OF New Years
day. Polyte had economical cent by
cent in order to prepare q surprise for
his mother in the shape of q modest
costume that he spread on her arm
chair. and he said 10 her:
Mamma, after breakfast win you